Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

NearDrop VS LocalSend

Compare NearDrop VS LocalSend and see what are their differences

NearDrop logo NearDrop

An unofficial Google Nearby Share app for macOS

LocalSend logo LocalSend

An open source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop
  • NearDrop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-04-25
  • LocalSend Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-29

NearDrop features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Sharing
    NearDrop allows file sharing between Android and Windows devices seamlessly, enhancing compatibility and convenience.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, NearDrop allows users and developers to contribute to its codebase, encouraging transparency and community-driven improvements.
  • Wi-Fi Direct Support
    The application leverages Wi-Fi Direct technology, enabling faster and more reliable file transfers without relying on an internet connection.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    NearDrop features a simple and intuitive user interface, making it easy to use for both technical and non-technical users.
  • No External Dependencies
    The application does not require any proprietary software or external services, giving users more control over their file transfers.

Possible disadvantages of NearDrop

  • Platform Limitations
    NearDrop is primarily focused on Android-to-Windows sharing, which might limit its usability for those seeking broader compatibility (e.g., iOS or MacOS).
  • Development Status
    As the project depends on ongoing community development, it may occasionally lack the robustness and polish of commercial alternatives.
  • Security Concerns
    Being an open-source project, users need to rely on community audits for security assurances, which may not be as comprehensive as professional audits.
  • Network Dependency
    While it uses Wi-Fi Direct, NearDrop still requires compatible network hardware and configurations, which may not be available on all devices.
  • Limited Documentation
    Users might face challenges due to potentially limited or technical community-generated documentation and support resources.

LocalSend features and specs

  • Privacy
    LocalSend allows for file transfers directly between devices without routing data through external servers, enhancing user privacy.
  • Speed
    Transfers can be much faster compared to cloud-based solutions since files are sent directly over a local network without internet lags.
  • No Internet Required
    LocalSend operates over a local network, meaning it doesn't need an active internet connection, making it ideal for offline file sharing.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    LocalSend supports multiple operating systems, which allows for seamless communication and file transfer between different devices.
  • Ease of Use
    Designed with a user-friendly interface, LocalSend simplifies the process of sending and receiving files between devices.

Possible disadvantages of LocalSend

  • Limited to Local Network
    Users must be on the same local network to transfer files, which can be restrictive compared to cloud services that function globally.
  • Dependent on Network Quality
    Transfer speeds and reliability are dependent on the quality and stability of the local network connection.
  • Initial Setup Requirements
    The initial setup might be complex for some users, especially those unfamiliar with network configurations.
  • Limited Documentation
    Compared to established tools, LocalSend might have limited documentation or community support, which can be a challenge for troubleshooting issues.

Analysis of LocalSend

Overall verdict

  • LocalSend is considered a good option for individuals or groups looking to share files locally with ease and security.

Why this product is good

  • LocalSend is designed for easy and fast file sharing within a local network. It provides a user-friendly interface and supports various file types, making it a convenient tool for transferring data without an internet connection. Additionally, it emphasizes privacy since the files don't need to be uploaded to external servers.

Recommended for

  • Users who prioritize privacy and wish to avoid cloud-based solutions.
  • Teams or households needing quick file sharing across devices within the same network.
  • Individuals with limited or unreliable internet access who still require file transfer capabilities.

NearDrop videos

No NearDrop videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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LocalSend videos

Localsend: An Open Source Airdrop Alternative

More videos:

  • Review - LocalSend: Effortless Cross-Platform File Transfer between Windows, iPad OS, iOS, Mac OS, Android
  • Review - Send Files Across Platforms | Android | Windows | Mac | Linux | #kluniversity #klu #localsend

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to NearDrop and LocalSend)
File Sharing
10 10%
90% 90
Cloud Storage
10 10%
90% 90
Secure File Sharing
14 14%
86% 86
Tool
20 20%
80% 80

User comments

Share your experience with using NearDrop and LocalSend. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, LocalSend seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 18 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

NearDrop mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of NearDrop yet. Tracking of NearDrop recommendations started around Apr 2024.

LocalSend mentions (18)

  • Show HN: Sick of emailing yourself stuff? me too
    I use Syncthing in combination with Cryptomator for sensible files, but there is also the Localsend app : https://localsend.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Microsoft enables file sharing between iPhone and Windows PCs
    I wish someone forced Apple to make AirDrop an open standard because it is an amazing user experience. Itโ€™s great that Microsoft is trying to make an alternative, but ultimately itโ€™s no different than any other AirDrop-like app that you can find around. And it seems like alternatives like LocalSend are potentially much better: https://localsend.org/ Link to Windows is going to require Windows, but LocalSend is... - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • Ask HN: Apple like integration between iPhone/Android and Linux
    I have been using LocalSend (https://localsend.org) between macOS, Windows, and Linux. It works great. It has Android and iOS clients as well but I haven't tried on mobile yet. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Send: Open-source fork of Firefox Send
    For local network sharing between my devices I tend to use LocalSend [0] which is absolutely brilliant, pretty much replaced my USB stick for transferring files/folders between devices on the same network. [0] https://localsend.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Sharedrop: Easy P2P file transfer powered by WebRTC โ€“ inspired by Apple AirDrop
    I tried most of these apps some time ago, and the best ones for large files were Landrop and Localsend. If you have a VPN, you can use them to transfer files remotely too. https://landrop.app https://localsend.org. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing NearDrop and LocalSend, you can also consider the following products

WarpShare - Contribute to MoKee/android_packages_apps_WarpShare development by creating an account on GitHub.

PairDrop - Local file sharing in your browser. Inspired by Apple's AirDrop. Fork of Snapdrop.

Snapdrop - An open source alternative to Alternative to AirDrop.

Clipt - Clipt seamlessly and safely transfers text, photos, videos, and files between your devices by connecting your phone & laptop clipboard.You shouldn't be punished for having more than one device - install Clipt and watch your productivity soar.

Send Anywhere - Send whatever you want, wherever you want

ShareDrop - HTML5 clone of Apple's AirDrop - easy P2P file transfer powered by WebRTC